Craig Whyte hides from Rangers as Ally McCoist seeks solace on the pitch

Their club’s title hopes are shredded and its business reputation is sprawling
in the gutter but 50,000 Rangers fans will pack Ibrox to capacity to
demonstrate their fervent support for the beleaguered Scottish football
institution. One space, though, will be empty – the seat usually occupied by
Craig Whyte.

The man whose stewardship – if it can be dignified with such a description – has brought a 140-year history to the brink of extinction declared yesterday that he had nothing to hide. Hide he will, though, and by staying well away from the south side of Glasgow this afternoon he has made the single most transparent and sensible judgment of his nine-month tenure as Rangers’ owner.

And, as a hurricane of speculation and allegations continued to batter the club it was left to Ally McCoist to act as the still centre of the storm.

The calm of the room at Murray Park where he met reporters prior to today’s SPL fixture against Kilmarnock was a sanctuary from the turbulence of a day that began with the supposed revelation that Milan Mandaric had stated an interest in buying the club – followed by a “categorical” denial by the Sheffield Wednesday chairman – and the news that Strathclyde Police had begun an investigation into the club’s affairs.

Whyte later denied all allegations of criminal wrongdoing and his representatives issued a writ against BBC Scotland, four months after it broadcast a documentary on his business background. The SFA, too, became joined in the tumult when it announced that its own inquiry would investigate the possibility that its articles of association had been breached by Rangers.

At Murray Park, McCoist told of a succession of supportive phone calls from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Peter Reid, but grew most animated when he spoke about the impact on the fans in the street – literally so, outside the club’s home. “A lot of them are disillusioned and shattered,” said the manager.

“I saw boys in tears outside Ibrox as generations of the same family think about their team. I know the responsibility I have. Effectively, I’m representing them.

“I’ve always represented them as manager of the club, but I’m fully aware what is expected of me as a football manager to help the fans through this situation. My feelings at this moment in time are of massive disappointment.

“Other than that, I’m trying to control my feelings because I don’t know. I am ignorant of what the outcome might be or of what has caused this scenario – I really am.

“Our football club has been through disasters. Absolute disasters – 1902, 1961 and 1971, when people have lost their lives. Those are absolute disasters. This is a really low time for the club but I am loath to say it is a disaster because, thankfully, no one has lost their lives.”

There was no ambivalence, however, about McCoist’s desire for this afternoon’s occasion. “I hope it is the most highly-charged atmosphere I’ve ever known at Ibrox,” he said.

“I can speak for all of the players, coaches and management staff when I say we can’t wait for tomorrow. I firmly believe you will see what the institution that is Rangers Football Club is all about. There’s not a ticket to be bought.

“There are some wonderful stories about people living abroad buying tickets and passing them on to family members or former neighbours who can’t afford to buy them in Scotland.

As black a few days as we have had, I think Saturday will see the real Rangers start marching towards the light at the end of that tunnel.”

And how did he feel about the missing man, the owner who sent his best wishes to the fans in a statement that declared that he would not attend so as not to be “a distraction to Ally McCoist and the players”.

“I have to be honest with you and say it’s not about the man who owns the club,” said McCoist. “It’s not about the manager. It’s not about any individuals within or involved with the club. It’s about the club collectively as a whole. That’s the most important thing.

“I don’t have any feelings at all for any individuals at this moment in time. In the grand scheme of things, I’m just caring about the football club progressing out of this rocky road.”

There was also – just – a first mention of the core business of the club and the prime concern of its fans. This afternoon’s football will not feature a contribution from Daniel Cousin, the Gabonese striker who re-signed for Rangers last weekend but whose registration has been rejected by the SPL.

So Rangers will take the field with a collection of players, some of whom are only just beginning to grasp the astonishing intensity of feeling about the team which will be demonstrated today and some of whom will soon be looking for another job.

“I’m ready for it,” said McCoist. “I can’t sit here and say I know what road we will go down or what we will do – but it’s important that the Rangers fans know that there’s somebody there who will do their damnedest for them.”